Washington, Dec 18, (NationPress) The year 2025 marks a challenging period for India–United States relations, described by experts as having reached near rock bottom. According to Aparna Pande, a prominent South Asia analyst at the Hudson Institute, the current dynamics are perceived through a transactional rather than a strategic lens by the Trump administration. Pande stated, “This year has been one of the most complicated.”

She noted that while the situation appears grim, there is a silver lining: “The only direction from here is up,” although recovery may take some time, ranging from a few months to possibly years. The trajectory of this recovery hinges on how Washington positions its engagement with New Delhi. “The future depends on whether the American administration perceives the partnership with India as strategic or merely transactional,” she added.

Pande offered a candid assessment of the Trump administration's current view on India, stating, “It seems that the second Trump administration is treating nearly all relationships as transactional and tactical,” with little emphasis on grand strategy, including India.

She recalled that the year began positively, highlighted by a February summit between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, which aimed to build on decades of cooperation. However, Pande lamented that momentum quickly waned, primarily due to trade tensions, including the administration's significant tariffs on India.

Despite these challenges, she reassured that operational relationships at working levels have not collapsed, citing ongoing cooperation in humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism, and routine bilateral exchanges. However, high-level diplomatic engagement seems stagnant.

Reflecting on trade, Pande pointed out that current disputes are not unprecedented. “The issues we are facing today have been discussed for 35 years,” she noted, emphasizing how previous administrations adapted to the complexities of trade with India. She expressed concern that the current administration’s narrow focus on tariffs has stifled progress on a comprehensive trade deal.

Pande highlighted that while India has proposed a promising trade deal draft, its acceptance may depend on the president’s assessment of its value. Furthermore, she mentioned Pakistan’s re-emergence as a variable in US–India relations, hinting at its perceived utility in various geopolitical contexts, though she cautioned against overestimating this relationship.

Looking ahead to 2026, Pande maintained a cautiously optimistic outlook, wishing for a trade deal, a summit of key leaders, and further economic reforms in India, including labor and insurance reforms, and potentially revisiting the nuclear liability bill.